What the Operations Jobs at Airports Require
An airport operations job will require a variety of skills. The airport must run smoothly. In fact, it needs to be managed carefully so that everyone that uses it, including the passengers, the crew, and even the aircraft, are well maintained, and cared for throughout their visit. This includes everything from the taxiways to the runways and the baggage areas. Plus, there are restaurants, shops, parking lots and thousands of employees that need to be maintained and managed to keep the airport functioning properly. The job of airport operations professional is maintaining virtually everything.
Airport operations are maintained by the director of the airport or the manager of airport operations, officially. These individuals may answer to the government that owns the airport or to the private owner of the airport. Their jobs are complex and filled with outstanding rewards, too. In order to be competent for this position, the individual must have specific skills including:
- The ability to manage other people and a business, this is since every airport functions as a business in terms of profit and loss.
- Manage the economics of the airport business.
- Handle public relations including large-scale marketing, promotion, and handle not so good public relations as well.
- Handle the politics that often is part of the airport business. If an airport needs more money, wants to expand, or needs additional support, the airport operations manager must be able to work with appropriate government or political leaders to help make this possible.
When looking at operations job listings, you will find out just what is required of you when taking on this type of in depth job. For example, you may be responsible for handling the maintenance, upkeep, and safety programs of the airport. To do this, you will need to understand what these programs are. This requires a very intimate knowledge of airport management. An individual working in operations jobs also must be able to enforce all rules and regulations put in place by the airport's governing body. He must also meet federal and state guidelines.
Yet another area of consideration is with money. Most operations jobs at airports really center on making and keeping a budget. The governing body or the airport's owner will set aside the budget, usually with the help and input of the management team, including the operations management. They will work together to establish where money will be spent, from where the revenue will come and where expenses can be cut. This information must be in line with not only the airport's needs, but also with the aircraft coming in. The higher the cost is to operate the airport, the more costly it will be for airlines to come in and out of the airport. Therefore, a very specific and yet profitable budget must be maintained by the operations manager.
Experience to Expect
Those who will be applying for operations job listings must have experience and the required training. Generally, an individual will need to have extensive training and experience to manage large-scale public airports. This may come from promotion within, working your way up the ladder or from working jobs in operations at smaller, private airports first. Individuals often need to have a college degree and have experience with air transportation, business management skills, personnel administration experience, public relations experience and engineering education to qualify for these positions. In most situations, this skill comes from working as an assistant within the airport or another airport for some time. Operations jobs at assistant level are available in most airports. Even these positions do require some knowledge and training in the field.
In the search for operations job listings in the field of airport transportation, gaining valuable experience and having a college degree in any of the fields mentioned is perhaps the most important first step. Applying for and getting jobs in operations may take time, since these positions are well paid and often some of the most sought after professionals are available. Yet, through dedication and through assistant positions in operations jobs at airports, individuals who have a passion for the industry can find a rewarding career in airport operations.
